What size bolt through Lil Indian front end?

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The Muffinator

Member
#1
#1
Currently in the process of building my Lil Indian small frame and I don't know what size bolt is supposed to go through the front end tube for the forks. I have a 5/8" bolt in there now but it is loose and wobbles. Bushing do not fit to solve this problem.
 
T

The Muffinator

Member
#5
#5
cheezy1 said:
Lets see a good pic of the neck area of the bike. Obviously the I.D. is 5/8''...but the O.D. of the bushing is like 3/4'' if I remember correctly.
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I will try to get a good picture but I have to wait for the paint to dry first. It is also under 3/4" since the bushings I have do not fit.
 
S

Sunnyknoll

Active Member
#6
#6
The fork bolts are 5/8-18 x 7" long. The 18 is fine thread meaning simply 18 threads per inch. The bushings are a problem as they never seem to fit snug enough. I had to have new bushings custom made at a local shop. I bought new fork bolts and brought them and the frames to the shop so the machinist could accurately measure and insure a good fit. I also had them made twice as long as the originals in order to hopefully improve stability and longevity. Luckily the shop had the bronze in stock so cost wound-up at about $40.00

Sunny
 
manchester1

manchester1

#7
#7
I just bought some bronze bushings at Lowes. They are a hair to thick on the outside diam. Going to try to find somebody to turn them down a bit for me on a lathe.:thumbsup:
 
T

The Muffinator

Member
#8
#8
manchester1 said:
I just bought some bronze bushings at Lowes. They are a hair to thick on the outside diam. Going to try to find somebody to turn them down a bit for me on a lathe.:thumbsup:
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I went Ghetto on the bushings I ordered from OldMiniBikes and turned them down using a screw gun and a grinding stone.

Of course, I made a jig to mount the bushing to so I could get it perfectly round. Came together nice. I'll use these until I can get some proper bushings.
 
S

Sunnyknoll

Active Member
#10
#10
If you're bushings are loose, I was thinking another way to tighten would be to cut and fit a piece of shim stock in the fork tube. Something like aluminum flashing might even work.
 
Bikerscum

Bikerscum

Active Member
#12
#12
Maybe Dean will chime in here but, I think those bushings need to be stepped, like a flanged wheel bearing. They shouldn't just be cylindrical & push down into the fork neck. You don't want the fork & neck rubbing steel on steel.

:grind:
 
T

The Muffinator

Member
#13
#13
Bikerscum said:
Maybe Dean will chime in here but, I think those bushings need to be stepped, like a flanged wheel bearing. They shouldn't just be cylindrical & push down into the fork neck. You don't want the fork & neck rubbing steel on steel.

:grind:
Click to expand...
I left the flange on the bushings I have so they are still stepped. I just turned down the part that fits into the neck. :thumbsup:
 
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